We Want. We Want. We want.
My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,
by night, but I find no rest. -- Psalm 22:2
It’s hard not to be afraid. Gas prices keep going up. The economy, while better, is still scary. Earlier this week a local company announced plans to close. Hundreds will lose their jobs. That sort of thing reverberates through the communities around it. Add a few health issues, work stresses and other issues and that peace God promises seems elusive at best.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. -- John 15:7
Okay, God, I want … (fill in the blank here). Isn’t that what prayer has become for us? Oh, we thank Him for His blessings but we also are filled with requests. We have a list and we treat God as though it is His job to fulfill our desires. We forget that our lives are not about us. We forget that He is the Almighty God and it is all about Him.
Does He want good things for us? Absolutely. But we stop before reading the next verse, which says that Jesus’ disciples produce much fruit that will bring great glory to God. Perhaps what we should ask for are things that bring God glory -- and that’s what He will do for us.
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” -- Luke 22:42
Sometimes God says no. It’s that simple and that complicated. It’s not about you. Remember that. Because it is about you too. If God would not spare His own Son a horrible death in order to save you and me, why do we expect Him to spare us the pains of this life?
But we do. We want an easy ride. It isn’t realistic. Life isn’t easy and to live without trials and pain just isn’t going to happen. God promises to carry us through the tough times. He doesn’t promise to keep them from happening.
God hears our prayers. He loves us unconditionally. He is with us always. Those are promises to hold on to, no matter how He answers
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